In this Aug. 3, 2012 photo provided by the U.S. Navy, Cmdr. Michael P. Ward II, center, is saluted during the change-of-command ceremony for the nuclear submarine USS Pittsburgh at the Naval Submarine Base New London, in Groton, Conn. Ward was relieved of his command in August 2012 after he faked his own death to end an affair with a woman. Ward’s lawyer said Friday, April 12, 2013, during a hearing in Groton to determine his status with the Navy, that Ward admits to the mistake and apologizes, and that he should not be expelled from the Navy.GROTON, Conn. – A former submarine commander who faked his death to end an extramarital affair should be honorably discharged from the Navy, a panel of officers recommended Friday after a daylong hearing in which the officer said he accepted “full and total accountability” for his behavior.
Cmdr. Michael P. Ward II, a married 43-year-old, sent his mistress in Virginia an email in July posing as a fictitious co-worker named Bob and saying Ward had died unexpectedly, a Navy investigation found. Ward was relieved of his duties aboard the USS Pittsburgh in August, a week after he’d taken command, and has received a letter of reprimand for adultery and other military violations.
After testimony from Ward’s former superior officers, colleagues and shipmates, Ward himself, in his dress blues, acknowledged to the panel that he had had an affair and sent the bogus email to the woman in an effort to end it.
“The reason I did it was to sever the relationship,” he said, “but the choice was ridiculous.”
He also apologized to the Navy and the sailors who served under him.